tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6142586076564907145.post9068255585238585413..comments2014-02-08T13:57:59.470-08:00Comments on The Credit Union Warrior: A Multi-Party System?Matt, the Credit Union Warriorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09889457998860910770noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6142586076564907145.post-52749958406495235002010-04-09T13:08:38.959-07:002010-04-09T13:08:38.959-07:00Kelly - this idea addresses the exact thing that p...Kelly - this idea addresses the exact thing that prevents national branding campaign from happening -- disunity. A multi-party system would make us all stronger, more focused, and, more importantly, more accountable for our actions.<br /><br />Status quo isn't a better option.Matt, the Credit Union Warriorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09889457998860910770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6142586076564907145.post-14737281038519978982010-04-09T12:13:27.119-07:002010-04-09T12:13:27.119-07:00Hmmm, I think I get the gist of the discussion, bu...Hmmm, I think I get the gist of the discussion, but, frankly, am afraid that only further confusion will ensue. "United, we stand, divided, we fall" is what comes to mind. <br /><br />As a topic of debate over a beer, it is great, but having been involved in the debate over a national Cooperative Marketing plan, it only seems to move us further from success.Kelly Schermerhornnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6142586076564907145.post-76495530837503468512009-08-21T11:39:37.572-07:002009-08-21T11:39:37.572-07:00@Andy - Thank you for your comment! I'm glad y...@Andy - Thank you for your comment! I'm glad you brought up the point of marketplace confusion. My take is that, as is, we have already lost folks. We've done that for two reasons: 1) We haven't done a great job of getting our message out; and 2) We haven't delivered a clear picture of what our philosophy is. Number 2 feeds number 1. You see, there are distinct differences in our philosophies even within the credit union framework. If we pull those apart and clearly define the different "sects," we will much more effectively be able to stay on message and deliver that message.<br /><br />@Matt Thanks for chiming in! Please keep up the great work over at CU Rising - I love what you're doing with that!<br /><br />@Rachel Your point about religious sects is very well made. That's kind of what I'm proposing. To take from Christianity for example, we'd sort of be saying: "Listen, all Christian churches believe that Jesus was the son of God. But the Methodists practice this way, and the Lutheran's practice this way, Baptists believe this and that, etc." We're still trying to sell the idea of member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperatives...we're just helping consumers understand precisely how our individual credit unions line up in terms of philosophy. All of these sects would believe in credit union basic philosophy and cooperative principles, but credit unions would be able to organize with like-minded credit unions within the movement to establish "mini-movement" subgroups that would be better able to leverage their message, political influence, and shared vision.Matt, the Credit Union Warriorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09889457998860910770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6142586076564907145.post-58203960921737015482009-08-21T11:18:20.250-07:002009-08-21T11:18:20.250-07:00Matt- Thanks for the thought provoking ideas. Indi...Matt- Thanks for the thought provoking ideas. Individual credit unions would be wise to ponder over your thoughts. And, like you suggested board/management should do some soul searching, to see where their CU should be aligned...and all product offerings, products, benefits, resources, etc. should be poured into/reflect that philosophy.<br /><br />Your thoughts could easily be compared to churches. Where people over time have chosen to separate from one sect or another to create something similar (with the same CORE philosophy) yet with different practices or approaches. This allows people of similar mindsets to "flock" together, so-to-speak.<br /><br />I can see how your concept would benefit the movement more so behind the scenes than with the general public. It could benefit those who have chosen credit unions for their career decide which type of CU they should work for. It could benefit like-minded credit unions in developing cooperative concepts/projects/etc.<br /><br />If presented publicly, I would be concerned that there would be more confusion than benefit. As Andy referenced, most members don't even understand the difference between a credit union and a bank...maybe that's our fault for not REALLY working hard to look and act different and make products that align with our core principles and philosophy.Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08015131272936968630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6142586076564907145.post-58845519057428678052009-08-21T07:26:17.251-07:002009-08-21T07:26:17.251-07:00Your use of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays is a very goo...Your use of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays is a very good analogy. I have to make sure everybody knows that their against-the-grain approach did lead to great success in the 2008 season, when they finished first in their division and made it to the World Series. They finally did succumb to a red-hot Philadelphia Phillies team, but only after they had proven that a focus on young players with good fundamentals and dexterity will win you ball games.<br /><br />Oh, and one more baseball thing... they actually changed their name from "Devil Rays" to just "Rays" before their successful 2008 season. The owner said his team would be "a beacon that radiates throughout Tampa Bay and across the entire state of Florida." I find it to be a great name for a team playing in the "Sunshine State".<br /><br />I think your ideas are spot on and they are similar to what motivated my team to start Credit Unions Rising. We still have more work to do on the site, but our <a href="http://bit.ly/EPeuO" rel="nofollow">communication walls are ready to go</a>, and we welcome anybody credit union-related who would like to contribute.Matt Handhttp://creditunionsrising.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6142586076564907145.post-90677148095093279842009-08-21T04:49:06.426-07:002009-08-21T04:49:06.426-07:00Thanks for such a thought-provoking topic.
Rath...Thanks for such a thought-provoking topic. <br /><br />Rather than highlighting and marketing the differences within our movement, I think we need to get a heckuva lot better at highlighting and marketing the differences of our movement. <br /><br />Ask any 10 credit union members the differences between us and a bank and you'd probably get at least 8 blank stares and nervous giggles. If we start making the philosophical and operational distinctions you propose, I think we lose these folks altogether.Andy Janninghttp://www.andyjanning.comnoreply@blogger.com